How to prepare zucchini puree for a child for the winter and the rules for introducing it into a baby's diet

Making zucchini puree for winter feeding is simple and necessary. The variety of vegetable options available is limited if you're introducing solids in the winter. Store shelves are overflowing with jars of baby food, but is it really as healthy as they claim? And these products are quite expensive. Therefore, if you have zucchini growing in your garden, or can buy a vegetable that's organically grown, you can easily make your own puree.

Secrets of preparing zucchini puree

One of the secrets to making high-quality puree is blending it. This will make it smooth, and a six-month-old baby will eat it with pleasure. Older babies can eat puree that's not blended as thoroughly.

During the cooking process, do not increase the cooking time; 5-7 minutes is sufficient; this will help preserve the maximum amount of beneficial components.

To ensure the puree lasts until winter and doesn't spoil in jars, it must be placed in sterilized containers and subjected to additional sterilization in a steam bath.

Regarding salt, adding it to baby food in an attempt to make it palatable only harms the baby. They don't know what salty foods are and will eat them anyway. Adding salt to first foods can lead to hypertension, heart problems, and kidney problems.

Salt interferes with the absorption of calcium, which is essential for a growing body, and can even lead to stunted growth. It's important to remember that many internal organs, including the kidneys, are still underdeveloped, and salty foods will put additional strain on them.

Selecting and pre-preparing vegetables

Here are some tips for choosing vegetables that will help you make healthy and tasty purees for your baby:

1. It's preferable to buy vegetables from a reputable producer if you can't grow your own. They're more likely to be organic. Commercially grown zucchini may contain nitrates and other chemicals.
2. The fruits must be washed and the stem removed.
3. Regarding peeling the vegetable. Peeling is necessary in two cases. If purchased from unknown producers, the skin will accumulate chemicals that were added to the soil during cultivation or sprayed on it. If the zucchini is very ripe, it's necessary to peel the skin and remove the seeds; otherwise, the mixture won't be completely smooth and there will be bits of skin.
4. The vegetable is cut into pieces before heat treatment.

Methods for preparing zucchini puree

The basic method is to simmer zucchini in a small amount of water for a short time. This is a classic recipe, but you can vary it by adding apple, carrot, or cauliflower.

Zucchini is hypoallergenic, easily digestible, which is crucial for a small organism, and has a neutral taste, which allows it to be combined with other foods.

Zucchini puree for the winter

Preparing this puree isn't difficult, and the zucchini will provide your baby with essential vitamins and microelements throughout the winter. Ingredients:

• zucchini - 2 pcs.;
• water - 240 ml.

Scheme of actions:

1. Wash the vegetables, remove the stems, peel if necessary, and remove the core and seeds. Cut into cubes or rings, place in a saucepan, and cover with water.
2. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes after boiling. Drain the water; the zucchini will have absorbed all the necessary liquid. Let cool slightly.
3. Prepare containers of the appropriate size and sterilize them along with the lids.
4. Grind the zucchini into a puree using a blender.
5. Place into containers, cover with lids, and sterilize in a double boiler for 5 minutes. Seal tightly. Store in a dark place.

Baby zucchini and apple puree

For infants, it's recommended to add apple to zucchini puree. Choose green varieties to avoid allergies. Adding sugar is optional, but if the apples are sweet, it's not necessary.

Necessary:

• zucchini - 2 pcs.;
• apple - 2 pcs.;
• water - 170 ml.

Scheme of actions:

1. Wash vegetables and fruits, peel, remove cores and cut into pieces.
2. Place in a saucepan, add water and cook for 5-7 minutes.
3. Drain the water and beat the resulting mixture with a blender.
4. Place in sterilized containers and sterilize in a water bath for 10 minutes.
5. Close tightly.

From frozen zucchini

Freezing the vegetable doesn't lose its nutritional value; its only drawback is that it becomes tasteless. A baby is unlikely to enjoy pureed zucchini alone, so it's recommended to vary it with carrots, cauliflower (frozen), and potatoes. However, this only applies if these foods are already included in the infant's diet. Otherwise, they should be introduced according to the basic rules of complementary feeding. For the winter, it is convenient to freeze the vegetable already peeled and chopped.

Necessary:

• zucchini - 120 g;
• cauliflower - 90 g;
• carrots - 30 g;
• water - 140 ml.

Scheme of actions:

1. Peel the carrots, wash them and chop them finely.
2. Place in a saucepan, add zucchini and cauliflower (without defrosting).
3. Pour in the specified amount of water.
4. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Beat with a blender.

How to make the first complementary food from zucchini

Guidelines for introducing solid foods to infants have been developed. Zucchini does not cause allergic reactions and is easily digested, but every body is unique, so even this vegetable must be introduced according to the following guidelines:

1. No new products, only zucchini, otherwise, if a negative reaction occurs, it will not be clear why.
2. It is necessary to give a microdose, about 10-15 g, preferably in the morning, in order to observe the baby’s reaction during the day.
3. If no negative reactions are observed, the dose is gradually increased.
4. If an allergic reaction or digestive disorder occurs, complementary feeding should be postponed for 2-3 weeks.

Only natural, properly prepared food will bring maximum benefit to your little one and keep their menu varied even in winter.